MGB MGB soft top frame

[AndyH]

I am in the process of repainting my soft top frame before purchasing a new top. My MGB is a 1970 - they changed the frame half way through the year. I'm trying to identify whether I have an late or early frame. I think it's a late frame, becuase it's black and has the triangular plate which attaches to the chassis. Can anyone confirm that's right? I don't want to buy the wrong top!

 

[tony barnhill]

Does it fold straight back? Or does it have little "V's" on either side that fold inward?

If it folds straight back, its a Michelotti frame; if it has the little "V's", its a scissors frame.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

they call it scissors for a reason.

 

[AndyH]

Hi Tony, looks like the scissor thing. Is the Michelotti frame that much better that it is worth looking for a used one to replace my original?

 

[tony barnhill]

Scissor thing is the harder of the 2 to put up & down..Michelotti goes up & down much easier & takes up less space...same top fits on both

3 reasons they went to Michelotti:
ease of operation
less space
rear bow is fixed so you can use zip out rear window

Same top works on both.

As does your hearer rail should you decide to change bows. And they bolt inmto the car the same.

 

[AndyH]

Hi Tony. Thanks for the info. It's identical to this one on Ebay:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGB-TO...sspagenameZWDVW

 

[tony barnhill]

The one on ebay's a Micheloti.

 

[jlaird]

My got, look at all the joints.

 

[PAUL161]

Tony, What does the scissor frame look like?

 

[tony barnhill]

Lemme take a photo later today - right now gotta get to the bodyshop to work on the TD!

 

[AndyH]

Great, that means mine's a Michelotti. Thanks for all your help Tony.